Intelligent Manners Guest Mix

24 Sep 2012

Each tune by Intelligent Manners is the result of magnificent musical taste and imagination, a splash of rich internal emotions and beautiful melodies, filled with a sweet vocal soul, as well as funky and jazzy samples. Next month sees the release of his debut album The Movement, so we caught up with him for the low down on the release and an exclusive guest mix.

Tell us about yourself…

I'm Dmitriy Sabekiya from Saint-Petersburg, Russia. It's the city, where Intelligent Manners' music is created. Drum & bass came to my life at the end of the 90s, during my early childhood. It was fresh and unusual, differing from everything I used to listen to before. It totally fascinated me and blew my mind. That was the moment when I understood that I want to dedicate my life to music.

Your productions consistently demonstrate a great amount of musicality, the way the piano is used in your tracks for example, is done in such a graceful and harmonious manner. Can you play any other instruments?

I really do love to use the keys in my tunes. Depending on the exact melody, I can compose some pieces of the tune or take samples from old soul music. I try to create mostly melodic tunes. It's my way of accurately expressing what I feel and what I want the listeners to understand. It may seem surprising, but I can't play any other musical instruments!

Your debut album, The Movement, is being released by Dutch drum & bass label Fokuz on October 1st, what can you tell us about the LP?

I’ve been working on it for a year or so. Producers, such as Command Strange, Enei and Nuage, as well as vocalists like Iriann Joyce from Venezuela and Pouyah from Sweden were involved. The album's filled with deep, soulful and jazzy moods, which won't leave you untouched. The album will be released as a 12' sampler and double pack 2 x 12' LP with 14 tracks on the CD. Don't miss it!

Hip hop seems to have had a big impact on your music, many of your drum & bass tunes begin with and break down into a half-time hip hop beat, which works well. Did it feel natural for you to merge hip hop into drum & bass?

Oh, yeah! I truly love good hip hop music and I've always kept my eye on it and listened to it parallel to drum & bass. Actually, when jungle developed, hip hop culture influenced it too. So, it felt right to unify what I love.

Command Strange is another extremely talented producer on Fokuz, do you guys spend a lot of time in the studio together?

Yes, he's my soul brother. We spend a lot of time in the studio and often perform together, I like working with him. Our lastest work is the Love Language EP on Celsius Records. I'm also doing lots of tunes with Steve aka Dynamic, my London soul mate producer.

Russia has a very healthy drum & bass scene, how does it compare to the UK?

Yes it has! Like the UK, there’s a huge audience here, many talented producers known worldwide, and plenty of festivals and local parties. They’re not always as that large as one’s you’d see in the UK, but it proves that drum & bass is global music!

You put out a great free mix tape a few months ago, Lush Beats, what is the story behind that? When will the tracks see a release?

I've been planning this for a rather long time, as I've always been interested in a hip hop mix tape release. One happy morning I decided it was the right time. I took 15 of my tunes and invited round my friend DJ Chinmachine - he's a world class champion in scratching. He laid down the scratches in my mix and helped to complete it. Some tunes are already available and the rest may be released very soon.

What’s the main goal for your music to achieve?

It's rather complicated to express in words. When I create the music, I must feel myself, comfortable and be inspired. If it's not this way, my studio activities won't be productive. Although, it always goes differently. Sometimes I want to express something, emotions or some happenings, or perhaps something else, but then it all depends on the mood I'm trying to show.

What’s in the pipeline for IM through the rest of 2012?

Love Freeze EP is one of the latest, available in vinyl and digital formats. More releases are planned on Fokuz, Celsius, GLO, Directors Cut, Antillectual Beats and other labels, but the main forthcoming event is my debut album release, The Movement, planned for mid autumn.

Anything else?

I want to express my gratitude to all who support me and my creativity. Thank you! Enjoy the mix! Big up!

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